Undoubtedly, there will be accounts suggesting the Cincinnati Bengals put a dagger into the collective heart of the Lions Sunday.

However, Detroit’s loss, knocking the Lions out of a playoff spot, was more like a blessing in disguise.

Gone is any delusion this is a playoff-worthy team, let alone anything resembling a championship contender.

It was fitting Jim Caldwell didn’t throw a challenge flag when he obviously should have on an incomplete pass Golden Tate seemed to have caught. He and his coaching staff have been mismanaging games as if the action is moving too fast his entire four-year stint.

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Caldwell should be out.

It would be a mistake, however, to believe firing Caldwell will cure what truly ails the Lions.

The underlying problem remains haphazard ownership, and disappointing leadership from the general manager position.

Martha Ford is no different than her late husband in the role as Lions’ owner. It is less about the urgency to win championships than playing favorites and acting on ownership whims. The Fords treat the Lions like a family toy more than something they’re entrusted to care for, which is a shame considering their following nonetheless.

At least the loss Sunday was so bad, it was impossible to ignore.

It was remindful, in a way, of the Lions’ loss to the Bears in 2000, which also kept them from getting into the postseason. It led to change. It brought Matt Millen to town. Hopefully Martha Ford and invisible general manager Bob Quinn react better than Willam Clay Ford in 2000.

It’s difficult to tell how much influence Quinn has on this franchise. It was a surprise he initially retained Caldwell after being hired prior to the 2016 season.

The Lions unexpectedly made the playoffs that year, but they backed in and went out with a whimper.

Essentially two years have been lost from Quinn’s tenure because he didn’t change the coaching staff.

After a couple seemingly mediocre drafts (granted, still have to give ‘em time), and spotty free agent signings, his team is essentially the one Quinn inherited. It depends on quarterback Matthew Stafford saying “abracadabra” in the fourth quarter and making a probable loss go away. No magic from No. 9 that day, no win.

The Lions’ offensive line is worse than before Quinn arrived, and they don’t have an every down running back of note (and please, spare the Tion Green love just yet, would ya). Their defense doesn’t hold up under any genuine stress and the Lions have the same head coach mismanaging games.

Martha Ford got many kudos for simply doing the obvious and firing team president Tom Lewand and general manager Martin Mathew midway through the 2015 season, but she has been no different than her late husband. She spoiled the well, so it was almost like Quinn would have been going against her will, to fire Caldwell. Think about it. While denying comment, she said she, “loves Jim Caldwell.”

Who does that? And all the national “insider” leaks about Caldwell’s job status?

It would be inaccurate to suggest Caldwell is about to become a scapegoat for all that ails the Lions. He’s probably going to be fired, and definitely has been part of the issue. He did a good job his first year, but since, every time the Lions have been tested for movement forward, they have crumbled like a pie crust meeting a fork. A lot that has been coaching.

But the overriding issues remain with owner and general manager.

At this point Bob Quinn is just some shadowy figure, who was vastly overrated by many (myself included) after his first year. He hasn’t taken no accountability and could be lacking any real power.

Martha Ford is merely following the same path as her late husband.

Until Quinn and Ford change their methods, it won’t matter who coaches the Lions.

They will be stuck on the same hamster wheel presenting a similar annual lump of coal to this town for the holidays.